"It was a big win, let me put it that way," said Van Persie. "My goal came at an important point in the game, but the main thing today was to win, it was all about the win - I wouldn't have cared who had scored the goal.

"It was just important that we bounced back after last Monday. Every single player battled out there. And credit to all of us because we deserved this game."

Earlier, Sunderland won 3-0 at local rivals Newcastle United to fire their bid to avoid relegation and give Paolo Di Canio a memorable victory in his first northeast derby.

Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and David Vaughan scored three excellent goals, moving Sunderland three points clear of the bottom three and to within two points of Alan Pardew's Newcastle.

"I'm happy for my players because they were warriors today," Di Canio said.

"I was excited to see our fans celebrate because I know what it means to win here. Yes, it's a big win in terms of the area, but it's only one step and and not a big step in terms of the table."

Di Canio's reaction was typically effusive, the new Sunderland manager sprinting down the touchline and punching the air in delight.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as Van Persie breaks drought as United close in on title